Infinity Bridge

Infinity Bridge
Infinity Bridge from the Tees Barrage, named after the symbol denoting infinity
Coordinates54°33′53.26″N 1°17′57.09″W / 54.5647944°N 1.2991917°W / 54.5647944; -1.2991917
CarriesPedestrians and cyclists
CrossesRiver Tees, Teesdale Way
LocaleStockton-on-Tees, England
Official nameInfinity Bridge
OwnerStockton-on-Tees Borough Council
Preceded byPrincess of Wales Bridge
Followed byTees Barrage
Characteristics
DesignAsymmetric double tied-arch and suspended deck
MaterialWeathering steel, stainless steel and reinforced concrete
Total length240 metres (787 ft)
Width5 metres (16 ft)
Height40 metres (131 ft)
Longest span120 metres (394 ft)
No. of spans2 river spans and 8 minor spans on approaches
Piers in water1
Clearance below8 metres (26 ft)
Design life120 years
History
Contracted lead designerExpedition Engineering
Successful competition designExpedition Engineering and Spence Associates
Constructed byBalfour Beatty
Fabrication byCleveland Bridge & Engineering Company
Construction startJune 2007
Construction endDecember 2008
Construction cost£15m
Opened16 May 2009
Inaugurated14 May 2009
Statistics
Daily traffic4,000 people/day anticipated
Location
Map

The Infinity Bridge is a public pedestrian and cycle footbridge across the River Tees in the borough of Stockton-on-Tees in northern England. The bridge is situated one kilometre downriver of Stockton town centre, between the Princess of Wales Bridge and the Tees Barrage. It connects the Teesdale Business Park and the University of Durham's Queen's Campus in Thornaby-on-Tees on the south bank of the Tees with the Tees Valley Regeneration's £320 million North Shore development on the north bank.[1][2]

Built at a cost of £15 million[3][4] with funding from Stockton Borough Council, English Partnerships and its successor body the Homes and Communities Agency, One NorthEast, and the European Regional Development Fund[5] the bridge is a major part of the North Shore Redevelopment Project undertaken by Tees Valley Regeneration.

The bridge had the project title North Shore Footbridge before being given its official name Infinity Bridge, chosen by a panel of representatives from the funding bodies, from a pool of names suggested by the public.[6][7]

The name derives from the infinity symbol () formed by the bridge and its reflection.[5]

The bridge illuminated after sunset, showing reflection
  1. ^ "Infinity footbridge takes shape". Building Design – The Architects' Website. 11 December 2008. Archived from the original on 27 June 2010. Retrieved 14 March 2009.
  2. ^ "To Infinity and Beyond: Teesside Stockton Footbridge" (PDF). wyg.com. White Young Green. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 14 March 2009.
  3. ^ Race, Steve (18 February 2008). "The latest addition to the River Tees skyline is taking shape". Gazette Live. Evening Gazette. Archived from the original on 9 July 2008. Retrieved 14 March 2009.
  4. ^ "Case Study: Teesside Stockton Footbridge". wyg.com. White Young Green group. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 14 March 2009.
  5. ^ a b "An infinitely fitting name". onenortheast.co.uk. One North East. 11 September 2008. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 14 March 2009.
  6. ^ Robinson, Mike (1 September 2008). "Council Meeting – Stockton and Borough Council". stockton.gov.uk. Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 14 March 2009.
  7. ^ "The Footbridge at North Shore". northshorefootbridge.com. Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering and Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council. Archived from the original on 12 October 2008. Retrieved 14 March 2009.